UWS Icon Barney Greengrass Shuttered By Health Department

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — One of the Upper West Side's most storied restaurants was shut down by the city Health Department recently after failing an inspection following one of its busiest days of the year, according to city records and reports.

Barney Greengrass was ordered closed Thursday for racking up multiple health code violations including foods stored at improper temperatures, evidence or sightings of mice and roaches, and "inadequate" personal cleanliness, according to a city health inspection. Of the six violations levied against the Amsterdam Avenue business, five are considered "critical."

Restaurant owner Gary Greengrass, a descendant of the namesake "Sturgeon King" who opened the business in the early 20th century, said in an interview with the New York Times that the timing of the inspection was "pretty surprising." Thursday was the day after Yom Kippur — one of Judaism's most holy days that's observed by a major fast, and often, a large meal to break it.

“Yom Kippur in the bagel and lox business is the busiest week of the year. It is like Christmas season into one day times 1,000, and you are dealing with a perishable,” Greengrass told the Times.

The restaurant owner told the Times that he's working with the city to reopen the restaurant. In June, Barney Greengrass scored an "A" on its health inspection despite two violations, according to city records.